How can  I get a copy of 'Light Reading'  and a bumper sticker for my car?

  Light Reading is our free  quarterly newsletter containing all the latest information on behind-the-scenes  developments at Light FM. Light Reading and 89.9 Light FM bumper stickers can  be posted out to you.

  E-mail us your  postal address to General Enquiries by using the link on the homepage or contact us on 9899 1777 to receive your  copy.

Does Light FM  do song requests?

  Light FM has a  song request show called “Lunch Box Requests” hosted by Steve McNamara every  weekday between 12 and 2pm.   To make your request, you can call 9899 9899  during the show, click here To Make A Request,  or you can even SMS your request to 0427 767 899.

    You can also  be involved in voting for songs on our two countdown programs “ Melbourne´s Most Wanted  on “The Buzz” and the Hot 25 Countdown.  

    Melbourne´s  Most Wanted Top 5 Countdown plays weeknights from 7:30pm on “The Buzz” with Leroy Brown.   You can vote  for your song by e-mailing The Most Wanted Countdown or by sending an SMS to 0427 767 899 or follow the Program Guide link on this  website to “The Buzz”.

  To vote for  your favourite Christian music on the Hot 25 Countdown, follow the Program  Guide link to the Hot 25 Countdown site.     The Hot 25 Countdown airs from 7.00pm on Saturday nights with Laim Renton. Listen in to hear where the tracks you vote for end up on the  playlist.

Does  Light FM broadcast on-line?

  Internet  broadcasting is a service that Light FM has been planning for listeners and has finally arrived. Clcik on the link on the top left hand menu and you are almost on your way!

Why does Light  FM play mainstream music along with Christian Music?

The reason we play mainstream music is because programming research shows that people don’t listen to music on radio that is unfamiliar. The average listener might sit through one song they don’t know, but generally speaking if there are two songs that they don’t know, then they switch the dial. The mainstream music we play is familiar to the bulk of our audience and potential audience.

By no means are we trying to ‘cater’ for non-Christians, but we are trying to reach as many people as we can.  We believe that this is the mission that was placed before us by God, which is to provide a glimpse of good living and of the living God, and providing the light giving message of hope to Melbourne (Phil. 2:14-16, The Message).

Some of my friends don’t agree with LightFM discussing topics like tattoos, “The Simpsons” and the Bratz dolls. What’s your take on this?

 These are real issues in the everyday life of all ages and something that we believe is very important to take a stance on. We realise that many differences of opinions exist within the Christian community, and our goal is to raise the issue and allow people to express their own point and hopefully provoke people to talk about and think through what is right.

We hope to have an environment where it is safe for people to have differences of opinion without judgment and to have the freedom to express that opinion whether or not we agree with them. When we have a talk topic we do it because we think discussion and hearing the different perspectives will help people work things through.

 
  Can I tour  Light FM?

  Light FM has a  limited number of tour opportunities available each month, due mainly to the  small size of the studios and the limited volunteers available to conduct  tours.

  If you would like  to bring a group through, we would be delighted to hear from you. E-mail us at General Enquiries with the number  of people attending and your preferred time frame. Preferably up to four weeks  notice is appreciated.

Can I get  copies of interviews, quotes and other items of interest that I have heard on  air?

  Often  interviews, quotes and other snippets from programs and ministries are  available. If you would like details of a particular segment, please e-mail us  the time and description to General Enquiries

  Commonly, our  listeners are interested in Rob Buckinghams 'a shot of inspiration'.

  Rob Buckingham sources his quotes from a wide variety of internet sites and  books. Therefore, we are unable to provide copies of his quotes due to the  restrictions of copyright law.

  However, Rob  Buckingham has a book of quotes called 'a shot of inspiration',  produced by KFI Media. This book is a collaboration of quotes used on his  program over his years as an announcer.

  If you would  like a copy of 'a shot of inspiration', you can purchase it through Bayside Church in Cheltenham  for $19.95. The contact number for Bayside   Church is 9585 2455.

Why does your  News Service contain some stories that seem offensive?

  Light FM uses  Southern Cross Network News, a syndicated news service from 3AW. Bulletins are  delivered live, and therefore it is not possible for us to edit news stories  that go to air. Unfortunately, this means at times we may air a news story that  challenges Christian beliefs.

  Light FM is  planning to offer our listeners our own news service in the coming years;  however, such a service will cost over $200,000 a year. As a relatively new  station, such an investment is not viable at this stage.

  In the  meantime, we encourage listeners to view our news service as a 'window to the  world' - a window that we do not, and can not put shutters on.

How can you  help me with personal issues I am having?

  At times all  people require help, advice or prayer. The Light FM Careline is open everyday  of the week between 9am and 11pm and can help you with questions  regarding the Christian faith and other personal issues you may be facing. A  caring listener is available to chat and pray with you in a strictly  confidential environment. The Careline can also help connect you to a local  church.

  The number for  the Careline is 9583 2273, which can be reached for the cost of a local call  within the Melbourne  metropolitan area.

How can I help  with the Careline?

  The Careline  employs a full-time caregiver who also trains and coordinates a team of  volunteers who assist in taking calls. If you would like to volunteer for the  Careline please send us your details and a pastoral reference to General Enquiries We willl forward  your interest to the coordinator and get back to you in due course.

Can Light FM  give financial help to fundraisers and not-for-profit activities?

  Light FM is a  listener supported station, relying on the generosity of sponsors and donors in  order to continue its ministry. As a community broadcaster, and like many  not-for-profit organisations, we do not receive government funding. Therefore,  whilst being sympathetic to many causes, we are unable to provide financially.

  However,  should you require the announcing of fundraising activities, Light FM offers  free promotion of such events. If you would like your fundraiser announced on  Community Connection, please send the details in 50 words or less to General Enquiries

  Details of  announcements need to be received at least ten days prior to the RSVP or event  date, but preferably up to four weeks notice is appreciated. Light FM cannot  guarantee the placement of your announcement; however, events and services  selected will be read on-air up to eight times.

Does Light FM  accept CD submissions?

  Light FM  welcomes the submission of CDs from both Christian and non-Christian artists.  All submissions are considered for air-play.

  A large number  of CD submissions are received each week and therefore it may take time for  yours to be considered. Light FM receives work in varying stages of development  from many aspiring artists, but due to the abundance of submissions, we cannot  always guarantee airplay.

  We are also  unable to return CD submissions or offer a critique of content.

  If you would  like to submit your CD for consideration, please send it to:

  Light FM
   Att: Music Director
   PO Box 899
   Mont Albert  VIC 3127
  

    How can I check  my membership status/make a donation?

  To check  membership status, call Light FM during office hours on 9899 1777.

  To become a  member, donor or a One for One pledge partner you can make your secure, tax  deductible donation through the link at the top of this page or by calling us  during office hours on 9899 1777.

As a listener supported station, your partnership helps us continue to  share the Christian message of hope with Melbourne.

Why does LightFM engage in fundraising?

 LightFM relies on the gifts of our supporters to supply 40% of our annual          budgeted income so we can stay on the air. We also value the relationship   that occurs with our supporters by providing this service together... and the opportunity it presents for them to be partners with us in strategic Christian ministry.

I often hear you mention you're a community radio station and you rely on the donations of listeners.  Doesn't the government fund community stations?

The reality is that we receive almost no government funding at all to operate Light FM! Here’s why.

As you may know, there are three types of radio stations in Australia: public, commercial and community. Public radio stations, like the ABC, are funded by tax payers. Commercial radio stations are stations that have purchased a commercial radio licence – and in Melbourne these licences can cost up to $55 million! They are predominantly funded by advertising sales.

Then there are community radio stations...whichis the category that Light FM falls into.. Community radio stations like us are granted licences by the government free of charge so long as that community can demonstrate the need and ongoing support for station operations from the community. So this is why we need donations to continue broadcasting!

What about advertising on air?  Doesn't that provide enough support to run the station

Unfortunately no.  As a community station we are limited by law to the amount of sponsorship (advertising) we are permitted to run. This is capped at 5 minutes in any hour (compared to 18 minutes for commercial stations), and therefore we are limited to the income we can receive through sponsorship advertising.  In fact sponsorship accounts for only 55% of the annual income needed to run the station.

So what do you use sponsorship income for?

 The income from sponsorship goes directly to cover one of the larger costs of the station being staff salaries.  Running a professional radio station requires professional and experienced staff in all areas, including technicians and announcers.  And that is certainly what we have at LightFM.  Most of our team have sacrificed far higher paying jobs in the commercial world to be part of LightFM and make a real difference in the lives of people across Melbourne. 

So how much do you need to run the station?

It costs just over $170 an hour to keep the station operational. That’s a little more than $4,100 a day.  This covers everything including the electricity to broadcast, songwriter royalty fees ,record company royalty fees, broadcast equipment maintenance and replacement and general operational costs.

Of course one of the larger costs in most businesses is staff salaries. Radio is no exception – and doing radio well requires a professional and experienced team of technicians and announcers. And that is certainly what we have at Light FM. Most of our team have sacrificed far higher paying jobs in the commercial world to be part of Light FM and make a real difference in the lives of people across Melbourne.